Final answer:
The first object launched during the Space Race was the satellite Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union in 1957, followed by the first US satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first object launched into space during the Space Race was a satellite. The Soviet Union achieved this historic milestone by launching Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. This event marked the beginning of the competition in space exploration between the United States and the Soviet Union. Following the success of Sputnik, the United States accelerated its own space efforts, culminating in the launch of Explorer 1 on January 31, 1958, becoming the first US satellite in orbit.